Chapter Eighteen: In Which He Colors His Balls Blue

Arden arrived back at his penthouse in the late evening—it had taken him much longer then usual to accomplish all of his affairs. It probably had something to do with the fact that the object of his obsession had been sitting nearly ten feet from him, wearing a tight black skirt and a blouse that accentuated her breasts in a manner that had his eyes wandering far too often. The subtle scent of her vanilla perfume had him hard enough to cut diamonds. How any man could possibly keep his thoughts pure around her, he didn't know.

He released a heavy sigh as he walked toward his kitchen, loosening the knot on his tie. Arden opened the fridge and grabbed a beer, popping the top off on the edge of the counter. The bitterness helped to wash away the lingering taste of Gloriana that remained on his tongue. He was going to have to come up with some kind other kind of arrangement if he wanted to accomplish anything. Maybe he'd set up a separate work space for her.

A sound of knocking on his front door broke him out of his thoughts. He frowned to himself, sauntering towards the door hoping if he took long enough they would go away. The knocking continued—grating on his nerves.

Arden opened his front door, taking a swig from his beer as he did. His eyes narrowed in suspicion at the sight of Isobel standing on the other side. She gave him a weak apologetic smile as a greeting that did absolutely nothing for him. Arden moved to slam the door shut in her face, knuckles turning white as he clenched it in a tight grip.

"Wait!" She reached out her hand, "Can I come in for a minute? I just want to talk." He hesitated for a moment, "Please Arden..." He released his grip on the door, stepping to the side. Isobel granted him another smile as she passed by, gently grazing her hand against his chest as she walked into the territory that used to belong to the both of them. The floral smell of her perfume burned his nose and brought an acidic flavor to his tongue that he quickly washed away with another mouthful of beer—kicking the door shut as he followed after her.

He walked around her, giving a wide berth as he went—not wanting to give her the idea that he was pleased by her sudden appearance. Arden set himself down on his couch, spreading his legs and slinging a free arm over the back, "What did you want to talk about Isobel? I was under the impression that we had said all that needed to be said between us." He regarded her with a cold gaze that he used in his business meetings, giving away nothing to the thoughts circulating in his mind.

Arden would have to be blind to not recognize the beautiful woman that stood before him. Isobel had always been desired amongst the men in their inner circle—married or single it didn't matter. He lifted his beer to his lips in slight amusement as he found himself silently comparing her to Gloriana.

Her body was slender and long like the model of how society enjoyed women to be. It used to appeal to him but at the moment all he longed for was the healthy curves that made up Gloriana—they fit against him in a way that left him hungry for more. Isobel threaded her fingers through her long dark charcoal hair—something he had often enjoyed doing after their love making but now it seem to have lost its luster. It was Gloriana's chocolate waves and the way they spilled down her back as he had fucked her against his desk that had his blood heating to a boil.

"How have you been since the party? I know that things got a little out of hand..." She let her hands fall to her sides, clenching and unclenching them—a nervous tick he had picked up from the years he had known her.

He tilted his head a bit, looking like a disinterested king on his throne, "I've been fine—out of town on business. Did you come here for small talk?" He pushed the topic, wanting to get to the point of the matter. The sooner that happened the sooner he could be alone like he wanted.

Isobel pressed her ruby lips together, "The truth is...I miss you Arden—"

He let out an exasperated sigh as he leaned forward setting the beer down on his coffee table, before rising to his full height, "We've talked about this Isobel. We are not getting back to together. I told you..." She moved him with desperation—high heels clacking against the hardwood floors. Isobel silenced him with a deep kiss—his mind short circuiting under the surprise attack.

She devoured him, tongue dancing and tantalizing him. He found himself sinking into the familiar kiss but not feeling the same fire he once had. Isobel broke away, trailing kisses across his chin to his neck, nipping and sucking. Arden tried to get into the moment with her but it felt like he was holding onto a complete stranger—it was awkward and underwhelming.

She undid his belt, before unzipping his slacks as she lowered herself to her knees. Arden watched her through hooded eyes trying to will himself to be turned on by the beautiful woman, offering him pleasure. He threw his head back with a low moan as she took him deep into her mouth. It felt good, maybe even great but when he lowered his gaze to her he felt the desire rush from his grasp. Isobel began to do all her tricks to try and get him hard again—none of it working.

He squeezed his eyes shut in frustration—images of Gloriana being the one on her knees sucking him off began to filter through the walls in his mind. Arden hissed out a breath as he gorged himself on the fantasy of her—pleasure crawled up his spine, causing gooseflesh to rise. He wove his fingers into silky strands of hair, delicate moans vibrating against the sensitive head of his cock. He drove himself deeper—pumping his with more force, holding the back of her head, "Oh fuck! That's so good..."

His eyes snapped open as he got closer to his release—he wanted to stare into her eyes as he came in her. Only when his eyes locked with a pair of earthy-toned ones instead of the muddy brown ones that belonged to the woman he had been fantasizing about—the passion quickly flew from him. He pulled himself free from Isobel's mouth with irritation—almost completely limp. She gave him a curious look, "Is something wrong? Have you had to much to drink tonight?" She tried to supply reasons for his current ineptitude.

Arden glared at her, "The problem is not the alcohol Isobel. The problem is that my cock doesn't seem to care for you anymore—" She looked up at him in confusion as if it was the first time she had ever heard that a man didn't desire to have her mouth wrapped around him. Who was he kidding it probably was the first time. It was certainly the first time he had found himself unable to enjoy the pleasure a beautiful woman was offering him—that damned witch had put a hex on him or something.

Arden put himself away with an apathetic sigh before holding a hand out to her—a polite gesture. She took it without hesitation, allowing him to help her back to her feet, "I think it would be best if you left. It's been a long day and I'm tired." He offered her the friendly goodbye as an olive branch feeling slightly guilty over the fact that had been thinking of another woman while she had tried to pleasure him.

She stood like a statue, eyes wide—completely speechless. She had clearly believed that she could win him back by using her body and in different circumstances—had he been a different man that may have worked. Shaking his head at the absurdity of the situation, he moved forward placing his hand on the small of her back and ushering her toward the front door.

Isobel walked silently beside him, even as he opened the door no words came from her lips. He stared at her with pity, "This is the end of it Isobel—don't come back here again."

Her lips parted in further surprise, "You can't be serious Arden..."

"I've never been more serious. Also be careful if you're going to hang out with my brother...he's bad news...have a good evening Isobel." He replied dryly, closing the door in her face. He closed his eyes--ending the night with blue balls--he might have deserved that.